Gymnocladus dioicusIndiana NativeIndiana Native
Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus - Overall Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (Late spring; dioecious; male flowers in 4" clusters; female flowers, fragrant, in 12" long panicles)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Late to leaf out in the spring; blue-green bipinnately-compound leaves in the summer); Yellow (Variable fall color)
 Stem Notes:
Multi-colored (very stout, gray, brown or slightly greenish, glabrous)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (Dioecious, so the large pods only occur on females; can cause significant litter)
 Ultimate Height:
60-75 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
40-50 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to soils, but less tolerant of heavy clays
 Range:
Central and eastern United States to Ontario and Quebec, Canada
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are alternate, bipinnately compound, and large to 3' long and 2' wide. Leaflets entire. Prominent, large V-shaped or heart-shaped leaf scars. Salmon colored inner bark. Fruit pods (when present) are 5-10" long by 2" wide, reddish-brown, leathery, and persist all winter. Bark is scaly, ridged, and roughened.
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Drought Tolerant 288
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 187
  • Fragrant Flowers 188
  • Indiana Native 162
  • Park Tree 42
  • Shade Tree 181
  • Specimen 630
  • Poisonous/Toxic 43
  • Slow Growth Rate 272
  • Winter Interest 115

    • Additional Information

    Gymnocladus dioicus is a large deciduous tree with strong winter character from the branches and bark. Drops pods (female trees) and twigs, frequently causing litter problem, thus eliminating the straight species as a good street tree. Seeds were once used by US settlers as a coffee substitute, however pulp and seeds are toxic when not properly and completely roasted.

    50 Gymnocladus dioicus found

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    Other plants like this Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffeetree)

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